You can buy NFL Sunday Ticket on its own, without YouTube TV
NFL Sunday Ticket is sold as a standalone subscription directly through the NFL, separate from YouTube TV. You do not need a YouTube TV account to watch it. The NFL sells the service through its own website and through some cable and satellite providers, and each route has different pricing and what channels you receive.
The standalone version costs more than the YouTube TV bundle, but you keep full control over your other streaming services. You are not locked into paying for YouTube TV's other channels if you only want football.
Key Takeaways
- NFL Sunday Ticket sold standalone through NFL.com costs more per season than the YouTube TV bundle, but requires no other subscription.
- You can also buy Sunday Ticket through traditional cable and satellite providers like Comcast, DirecTV, and others, though availability depends on your location and provider.
- The standalone version gives you access to out-of-market games on Sundays, plus the ability to stream on phones, tablets, and computers.
- YouTube TV's bundle price is lower because it includes other channels and services beyond just the football games.
Buying Sunday Ticket Directly From the NFL
The NFL sells Sunday Ticket directly through NFL.com. You create an account, pay the full season price upfront, and gain access when ready. This route requires no YouTube TV subscription, no cable login, and no other service bundled in. You pay only for the football games you want.
The standalone price is higher than YouTube TV's bundle because you are not sharing the cost with other channel subscribers. The NFL updates pricing each season, so check their website for the current year's rate. You can stream on your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV through the NFL's app or website.
One limitation: the standalone version is subject to local blackout rules. If an out-of-market game is broadcast on local television in your area, you may not be able to stream it through Sunday Ticket, even though you paid for the service. This is a league rule, not an NFL.com limitation.
Getting Sunday Ticket Through Cable and Satellite Providers
Many cable and satellite companies sell NFL Sunday Ticket as an add-on to their existing packages. DirecTV has historically been the primary provider, though other companies like Comcast, Dish Network, and regional providers also offer it in some areas. You contact your provider directly to add it to your bill.
Pricing and availability vary by provider and by region. Some providers bundle it with other sports packages; others sell it standalone. Call your cable or satellite company's customer service line to ask whether Sunday Ticket is available at your address and what it costs. This route often ties the service to your home address, so streaming away from home may have restrictions depending on your provider's rules.
Provider availability changes year to year as the NFL negotiates new contracts. If your current provider does not carry it, the NFL.com standalone option is your backup.
Comparing Standalone and YouTube TV Pricing
The YouTube TV bundle includes Sunday Ticket plus dozens of other channels—ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC, and many others—all in one subscription. The total cost is lower than buying Sunday Ticket alone because the price is split across all those channels and services.
If you already subscribe to other streaming services for news, entertainment, or sports, the standalone Sunday Ticket may cost less overall than switching to YouTube TV. If you watch little else and only want football, YouTube TV's bundle might seem expensive for what you use. The math depends on what you already pay for and what you actually watch.
| Route | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| NFL.com Standalone | Out-of-market games only; stream on any device | People who already have cable or other streaming services |
| YouTube TV Bundle | Sunday Ticket plus 70+ channels including ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC | People who want one subscription for sports and general TV |
| Cable/Satellite Provider | Sunday Ticket add-on to existing package; varies by provider | People already paying for cable or satellite TV |
What Games You Can Watch With Standalone Sunday Ticket
NFL Sunday Ticket shows out-of-market games—games not broadcast on your local CBS or Fox affiliate. If your local team is playing, or if a nationally televised game is on CBS, Fox, ESPN, or another major network, you see it on those channels, not through Sunday Ticket. Sunday Ticket fills in the gaps by showing you the other games happening at the same time.
This is why the service is most useful if you follow a team that does not play in your region. A fan in New York who wants to watch every Kansas City Chiefs game, for example, can use Sunday Ticket to stream games that are not broadcast locally. A fan in Kansas City who wants to watch the Chiefs would mostly see them on local broadcast anyway.
The service also includes the ability to watch multiple games at once on a split screen, called Red Zone in some packages, depending on your subscription tier. Check the NFL's current offerings to see which features come with each price level.
Streaming Quality and Device Support
The NFL.com standalone version streams on phones, tablets, computers, and most connected TV devices—Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Google TV, and others. The app is available through your device's app store. You log in with your NFL.com account and stream when ready.
Stream quality depends on your internet connection. The NFL recommends at least 5 Mbps for standard definition and 25 Mbps for 4K, though most home internet connections handle this without issue. If your connection drops during a game, you can pause and resume from where you left off on the same device, but you cannot switch devices mid-game and pick up where you were—you restart from the beginning on a new device.
The service does not include a cloud DVR, so you cannot record games to watch later. You watch live or on demand through the app's replay feature, which usually becomes available a few hours after the game ends.
Blackout Rules and Restrictions
The NFL enforces local blackout rules on Sunday Ticket, even the standalone version. If a game is broadcast on your local CBS or Fox station, you cannot stream it through Sunday Ticket in your home market, even though you paid for the service. This rule exists to protect local broadcasters' exclusive rights to show local games.
Blackouts explore only to your home address. If you travel out of your home market, you can stream blacked-out games on your phone or tablet. If you try to stream on a TV connected to your home internet, the blackout applies. This is why many Sunday Ticket users keep a VPN in mind for travel, though using a VPN to bypass blackouts violates the NFL's terms of service.
The best way to know which games will be blacked out in your area is to check the NFL's blackout map before you buy. The map shows which games are broadcast locally in your zip code for the upcoming week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Sunday Ticket on my TV without YouTube TV?
Yes. read the NFL app on your connected TV device (Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, etc.), log in with your NFL.com account, and stream. You do not need YouTube TV or any cable login. The app works the same way on TV as it does on your phone.
Do I get RedZone with standalone Sunday Ticket?
RedZone availability depends on which tier you buy. The NFL offers different subscription levels with different features. Check NFL.com for the current season's options and what each tier includes. Some tiers include RedZone; others do not.
What happens if I buy Sunday Ticket and then move to a different state?
Your blackout rules change based on your new home address. When you move, update your address in your NFL.com account. The blackout map will recalculate for your new location, and different games may be blacked out in your new market.
Can I share my Sunday Ticket login with family members in another house?
The NFL's terms of service limit sharing to people in your household. Sharing your login with someone at a different address violates the terms. Each person who wants access from a different location needs their own subscription.
Is Sunday Ticket cheaper if I buy it month-to-month instead of the full season?
The NFL typically offers a full-season price and sometimes a monthly option, though monthly rates are higher per month than the season rate divided by months. Check NFL.com at the start of the season to see what payment options are available that year.